The YT Paradox: Quantity vs. Quality

So, you want to be the next Mr. Beast, Liza Koshy, or maybe the Casey Neistat of unicycle bagpiping?

If so, you’ll need to learn whether to prioritize quantity or quality. The answer isn't as straightforward as you may think… it's a matter of timing and progression.

Below, I'll delve into the intricacies of this balance and how to navigate it effectively.

In the early stage, QUANTITY is more important

Why? Because you suck.

This isn't an insult; it's a reality for everyone who embarks on any creative journey. Even YouTube giants like Mr. Beast didn't start with viral sensations; they, too, had to pump out many, many sh**ty videos before finding success.

Mastering the Basics

In the initial stages, you need to focus on honing your skills. These include (but aren't limited to):

• Ideation

• Scripting

• Lighting

• Shooting

• Editing

• Sound Design

• Etc

The Value of Volume

The fastest way to improve these areas is through repetition, so make videos. A lot of videos.

Think of it as speed dating with your audience—some will work, some won't, but hey, at least you're putting yourself out there.

"Failing fast" here doesn't mean you're the Titanic; it means you're learning to steer your YouTube ship away from proverbial icebergs.

In the intermediate stage, QUALITY is more important

The 1k Views Threshold

Once you start consistently receiving more than 1,000 views per video, it's an indicator that you're doing something right.

Now you're just 999,999,000 views away from making a public apology video.

At 1k views per video, you have a concept that resonates with an audience, even if it's a small one. This is the point where the focus should shift more towards quality.

Analytics: The Magic 8-Ball of YouTube

Want to know if you'll be famous? Check your Click Through Rate (CTR). Want to know if you'll keep being famous? Watch that retention rate like a hawk—but preferably not a stalking hawk.

_{Clearly, I’ve had too many restraining orders}

_{Haha… that’s a joke.}

Strive for a 1-2% improvement every week; even such small incremental growth can lead to significant gains over time.

Why Spend More Time on Each Video?

The reason behind investing more time in each video is simple: YouTube metrics and views don't scale linearly, they scale exponentially.

If you can increase your video's CTR and retention by 50%, your views won't just increase by 50%—they can actually skyrocket by 10 times or even more.

This is how the YouTube algorithm works.

This is why Mr.Beast has said:

But again… this only happens once you master the basics.

The Big Takeaway

To summarize, the strategy can be broken down into two distinct phases:

1. Initial Phase: Focus on quantity to improve basic skills and try out different content ideas.

2. Intermediate Phase: Once you hit the >1k views milestone, shift your focus to quality and analytics for consistent and exponential growth.

Whether you're a YouTube toddler stumbling around or a teen ready to take the car keys, understanding when to focus on quantity and when to pivot to quality can be your roadmap to YouTube stardom—or at least, to fewer embarrassing moments.

Remember… it's not about the destination; it's about the comedic, educational, and oftentimes cringeworthy journey.

Best,
Kong